 Updated MAY
26
2008.
Looking for older news? see the Archived News Page.
THE fate of Ned Kelly
may remain forever a mystery because the State
Government
will not spend $200,000 to identify his remains.
In a major archeological coup, the skeleton of
Australia's most famous bushranger is believed
to have been exhumed in March, among those of 31
other executed prisoners, from a plot at
Pentridge Prison.
The sets of remains are being held under the
jurisdiction of the State Coroner at the Victorian
Institute of Forensic Medicine at Southbank, where
it was intended they would be identified
using the latest forensic technology - including DNA
testing.
But sources close to the exhumation say the
Department of Justice is refusing to pay for the
identification of all but two of the sets of
remains.
The remains of Ronald Ryan, the last man hanged
in Victoria, and Colin Campbell Ross, who
was executed for murder in 1922 and later proved to
be innocent, have been claimed by their
descendants and will be identified and handed to
their families
Source Herald Sun 25 May 2008.
.......................................................................................................................
Kelly 'not guilty' in trial re-enactment
SOURCE: ABC NEWS 15 MAY 2008.
Folklore
hero or terrorist? Bushranger Ned Kelly (file
photo). (Anne Delaney)
In 1880, bushranger Ned Kelly was found
guilty of the murder of three policemen and
sentenced to death by hanging.
The Irish Catholic Kelly became a popular folklore
figure. But how would Kelly be viewed
and treated if he was alive today and charged under
Australia's terrorism laws?
Last night the idea was tested by an all-star cast of
defence lawyers and prosecutors along
with a real life Supreme Court judge.
An actor playing Kelly went on trial for terrorism
offences, all part of Law Week in Melbourne.
His defence team included veteran barrister Gerry Nash,
who once represented Tony Mokbel,
and Rob Stary who is currently representing several men
charged with terrorism offences in
Melbourne.
The prosecutor was played by the maverick former chairman
of the NCA (National Crime Authority),
Peter Faris, who did not have a high opinion of the
bushranger.
"Kelly is nothing more than a Irish Catholic secessionist
dog," he said.
Playing the part of Justice Redmond Barry, who sentenced
the real life Kelly to death, was Victorian
Supreme Court judge Justice Lex Lasry:
"Have the prosecution satisfied you beyond reasonable
doubt that the prisoner, Kelly, committed a
terrorist act, that the prisoner caused a death or several
deaths for the purpose of coercing or
influencing by intimidation the Government of the Colony of
Victoria?"
In his defence, Kelly claimed he was acting in
self-defence when he shot three policemen at
Stringy Bark Creek.
"Was it ever your intention to shoot them?" the counsel
asked Kelly at the mock trial.
Kelly replied that it was not.
The counsel then asked if Kelly if he had disarmed them,
what would he have done?
"Sent them packing with the message that I'm an innocent
man, that my family has been
wronged and that this needs to come to an end," the actor
playing Kelly said.
"I'm only defending my family."
When the jury found Kelly not guilty, the audience
applauded and cheered.
Speaking to the audience after the trial, Mr Stary
detailed his ongoing concerns with Australia's
terrorism laws.
"They can encapsulate any conduct," he said.
"Any person who promotes disaffection, any person who
suggests or any person who thinks that
there ought to be a change of government or that there ought
to be some change in the way society
is structured really is vulnerable to the commission of a
terrorist offence."
Mr Faris hit back, defending the laws.
"We have a genuine problem with Islamic terrorism in this
country," he said.
"We need to be as safe and secure as we can."
Based on a report by Alison Caldwell, first aired on
AM.
.......................................................................................................................................
Bid for Ned Kelly's head (Source HeraldSun) Apr 20 2008.
THE State Government
is considering an amnesty to secure the return of
Ned Kelly's missing skull.
Kelly's bones are believed to be among the
remains of 32 executed prisoners exhumed from the
site of the former
Pentridge Prison last month.
The prisoners' remains were re-interred at
Pentridge after being taken out of graves at the Old
Melbourne Gaol
when it closed in 1929.
Heritage Victoria's senior archaeologist Jeremy
Smith yesterday confirmed an amnesty had been
proposed by
the National Trust.
Exhumation field work at the former Pentridge
prison was now complete, Mr Smith said.
"The last set of the remains has been delivered
to the forensic institute and we are now waiting for
the analysis," he said.
But a source close to the bones dig said an
amnesty had been suggested as a way of reuniting the
hanged bushranger's
skull with the rest of his remains.
"This idea is that, if whoever has got it
understands there will be no questions asked, they
might give it back," the source said.
Archaeologists working for Heritage Victoria have
completed the exhumations and passed their skeletal
findings to the
Victorian Institute for Forensic Medicine for tests
to identify them.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands the
archaeologists think Kelly's remains were found
without a skull - supporting an
often-told story that it was removed in 1929 after
his exhumation from the Old Melbourne Gaol.
A skull, thought to be Kelly's, with the initials
"E.K." attached to it, was stolen from the Old
Melbourne Gaol in what appeared
to be a university student prank in December, 1978.
One of the culprits was rumoured to be a former
prime minister's son, yet it is still not known what
happened to it.
Some observers think the E.K. skull was actually
that of Edward Knox, who was also executed at
Melbourne Gaol.
And in a further twist, a farmer in Western
Australia claims he has the controversial E.K. skull
buried in a tin can in his
backyard. But evidence - at this time - does not
prove his claim.
.................................................................................................................................
 27 March 2008.
AN archaeological dig of Ned Kelly’s last stand at Glenrowan has divided
the community.
In May archaeologists and university students are expected to start work
on the Ann Jones
Inn site.
The four-week dig will peel back about 1m of top soil on the block of
land where the
weatherboard inn stood at the time of the siege.
It is expected to reveal the foundations of the inn and other artefacts.
Professional archaeologist and project director Adam Ford from Dig
International will work
with La Trobe University to excavate the siege site by hand.
“These archaeological excavations at the site of the former Glenrowan
Inn, the location of the
siege and last stand of the Kelly Gang in 1880 aim to uncover, record
and conserve physical
remains of the bloody siege which claimed the lives of three members of
the Kelly gang and
two hostages,” Mr Ford said.
But the owner of one of the town’s tourist attractions says “they’ll
find next to nothing”.
“People have been poring over that block of land for the past 100
years,” Bob Hempel said.
“They have been digging, standing shoulder to shoulder with metal
detectors, they have gone
over it with a fine-tooth comb.
Glenrowan historian Gary Dean, who also runs a Kelly-inspired
tourist attraction, believes they
will pinpoint the site of the inn.
“All they are likely to find is the site of the second hotel she built
six months after the siege.”
He said it was one of the most important digs in Australian history.
“We only get the chance to do this once, we need to get it right,” he
said.
“I have no doubt we will locate the post holes from the first and second
inns and most importantly
finally determine where everything stood at the time of the siege.”
Glenrowan blacksmith Gary Nicholls said it had created great interest in
the town.
“People are coming up with all sorts of theories, some are wanting to
help, others think it is a
waste of time,” he said
The dig is a collaboration between Wangaratta Council, Heritage Victoria
and the Federal Government
and is expected to cost more than $200,000.
It was originally planned to start in late 2006.
Find excites bone hunters.
Lawrie Nowell
March 09, 2008 12:00am
NED Kelly has always
held a fascination for Victorians.
His story reads like part wild west cowboy
adventure, part Dickensian crime novel.
And the hunt for Kelly's final resting place is
as intriguing a tale as any forensic potboiler.
"It's a great archeological detective story that
has taken two years to get to the bottom of,"
Heritage Victoria senior archeologist Jeremy Smith
said yesterday.
"It's the most exciting archeological find I've
been involved in."
The push to find Kelly's grave first loomed large in
2005 when developers moved in to redevelop
Pentridge
Prison, which had been closed and sold off by the
Kennett Government in 1997.
Heritage Victoria launched a serious bid to find
Kelly's grave and those of more than 30 others in
2006.
Slow progress was made until the stunning
discovery this year of an undated Department of
Justice
document purported to show the locations of
mass graves in a little-visited area of the prison
complex.
The 'eureka moment' came this week when
archeologists unearthed multiple graves.
Three square, deep pits have been found.
"It's doubtful we will be able to identify all
the individuals because of the diversity of
conditions," Mr Smith said.
"The bones are not complete and they have been
mixed, co-mingled and decomposed.
"Some go back to the 1860s.
"Until recently it was
thought there was only
one burial plot at the
eastern end of D
division building where
Ronald Ryan was buried
in 1967. Now we've
confirmed the existence
of an earlier historic
burial ground at the
eastern end of F
division."
The remains of the 32
executed prisoners were
transferred from Old
Melbourne Gaol in 1929,
but the exact locations
of their burials were
lost when old prison
records were thrown out
a decade later.
The document was the
only evidence of the
re-burials at Pentridge.
The investigation has
thrown light on the
deaths of Victorian
criminals including
Frederick Deeming, who
killed successive
wives
and children during the
1890s.
Source: Melbourne HeraldSun 9 Mar 2008
...........................................................................................................................
National Trust finds some Faine friends in deed
IN 1992, ABC broadcaster Jon Faine made an incredible find in the Trading
Post. For sale was an 1880 document related
to the Kelly Gang's murder of
three policemen at Stringybark Creek, near Mansfield.
Two of the slain policemen, Sergeant Michael Kennedy and Constable Thomas
Lonigan, left nine children between them.
The document, dated July 23, 1880, was a Deed of Settlement drawn up by the
State Government, stating it would leave
£900 in trust for those children until
they were 21 years old.
The Trading Post seller told an amazed Faine that he had found the
deed, handwritten on three pages of vellum, folded
and tied with a pink ribbon,
in a shoebox in a house he had moved to.
With no acquisition interest from the State Government, Faine teamed with two
fellow history buffs, the then Supreme
Court chief justice John Phillips and
barrister Jack Hammond, to buy it themselves, for an undisclosed sum.
The trio have donated the deed to the National Trust. Mr Faine and Mr
Phillips were unable to attend a cocktail party
handover ceremony at the City
Watch House last night, so Mr Hammond did the honours.
The trust's Victorian chief executive, Martin Purslow, said it was an
"extremely generous gift" that would be displayed
at the Old Melbourne Gaol.
CAROLYN WEBB The Age Oct 17 2007.
Thanks Sharon for alerting me to this article.
.............................................................................................................................................
Town and siege site unveil upgrade
Glenrowan glowin’
By BRAD WORRALL
IN a fitting tribute to the Kelly Gang — trains, gunshots and sirens
played cameo roles as Victorian Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor
unveiled the new-look Glenrowan yesterday.
Almost $2.3 million has been spent to revitalise the township and
restore the Kelly Gang siege site.
The main street has been narrowed and beautified with angle parking in
rustic wood pole-lined bays.
Information signs tell the Kelly story and take visitors on a guided stroll
of the battlefield.
Mr Batchelor said the $1.8 million of Victorian Government money had
been well spent.
“The precinct highlights the historical, social and cultural importance
of the Ned Kelly story for the state and will generate significant economic
activity for the local area,” he said.
“It is going to bring more people to Glenrowan — with all the social
and economic benefits that tourism brings.”
Mr Batchelor said the project was a collaborative effort between all levels
of government.
“This project shows what can be achieved when all levels of government
work together, driven by the energy and enthusiasm of the community,” he
said.
“Involving more people in planning and decision making isn’t just a
nice idea.
“It is also a way of getting better results.”
Wangaratta Mayor Don Joyce said Glenrowan was now tourist friendly.
“The works are superb, the narrowing of the street lends itself to
pedestrian traffic, tourist traffic, those thing are vital,” he said.
“It’s a tourist town and we have to model it that way.
“We need to remember Glenrowan is the keeping place of the Kelly legend.
“It is part of Australia’s folklore.”
Mr Batchelor’s address to community members, school children and council
staff was punctuated by a series of interruptions perhaps suited to the
history of the Kelly town.
A freight train rumbled by, gunshots from the Kelly museum fractured a
pause in the speech and the CFA siren signalled the end of proceedings.
Source: The Border Mail 21 Sep 2007 (Thanks Sharon USA)
See also: Revitalisation
.........................................................................................................................................................
Plaque theft angers police
By ANTHONY BUNN (Source: Border Mail)
POLICE are furious a plaque honouring three troopers shot dead by the Kelly
Gang at Stringybark Creek has been stolen from its bush setting south of
Benalla.
The tablet commemorated Sgt Michael Kennedy and mounted constables Michael
Scanlan and Thomas Lonigan, who were struck down in an ambush by the Kelly
Gang in October, 1878.
It was unveiled in October 2001, after being set into a rock, and had been
subject to a number of vandalism attacks without being stolen.
Det Sgt Rod Smith, of the Benalla criminal investigation unit, said the
plaque had been missing since Wednesday, but it was unclear exactly when it
was stolen.
“We’d like it back,” Sgt Smith said.
“It’s a slap in the face, they’ve got no respect for the police or
the three policemen who lost their lives chasing this villain, this murderous
mongrel.
“We’ve gone to a lot of trouble to have a memorial up there and we have
the Kelly tree there too, and someone has the temerity to remove the plaque.
“It’s there for everyone to see, not just someone who wants to go
souvenir hunting.”
Tools would have been required to remove the A4-sized plaque, with the
remote location between Benalla and Mansfield making it hard to protect.
Sgt Smith’s colleague Det Sen-Constable Peter Clifford was involved in
the original project to install the plaque, with the rock and transport time
donated to erect the police-funded memorial.
He was left annoyed by the theft and suspects those who idolise Ned Kelly
are responsible.
“You can come up with any amount of motives, such as mischievousness or
souvenir-hunting,” Sen-Constable Clifford said.
“It could also be crooks who still sympathise with the Kelly family.
“The crooks hold Ned Kelly up as an icon, they think he’s fantastic,
especially around here.”
Sen-Constable Clifford said that by coincidence a spare plaque had arrived
at the Benalla police station in recent weeks and he planned to pass it onto
Parks Victoria in the next fortnight so it could be installed.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Sustainability and Environment said
rangers were investigating the theft.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................
NED Kelly's remains may be
in a suburban Melbourne park.
But Heritage Victoria, which last month revealed the outlaw's remains
probably vanished from Pentridge Prison in the 1950s or 1960s, has ruled out
looking.
Suggestions are the bushranger's final resting place is one of two bluestone
quarries - one of which has been turned into Fr Brosnan Community Park - in
Coburg near Pentridge.
Heritage Victoria believes the remains of Kelly and some other prisoners may
have been removed during drainage works at the jail.
Heritage Victoria's acting executive director Jim Gard'ner said the search for
Kelly's bones had ended unless significant new evidence was produced.
"Anecdotal evidence suggests the remains were discarded in nearby
quarries," Mr Gard'ner said.
"However, Heritage Victoria regards this theory as speculative and one of
many possibilities.
"Heritage Victoria does not consider there is sufficient evidence to
warrant excavation of the quarry sites."
Mr Gard'ner said it was possible the remains had deteriorated beyond
recognition.
Kelly was executed at Old Melbourne Gaol's gallows in 1880.
His decapitated body was buried in an unmarked grave at the prison until it
closed in 1929.
The remains were then transferred to Pentridge.
The disappearance of the grave was discovered during an archeological study.
The site is being turned into housing.
Heritage officials found the grave of Ronald Ryan, the last prisoner executed in
Australia, and a memorial garden will be created at the site.
Source HeraldSun June 3 2007.
.............................................................................................................................................
Australia's favourite murderer is still giving the Establishment the
run-around, writes Sushi Das.
IF ONLY they hadn't sawn off his head. At least then it might have
been easier, in some small way, to identify Ned Kelly's remains. Even if you're
not a Ned tragic, the mystery of the notorious bushranger's missing bones is an
intriguing tale that shows that when it comes to Australia's favourite legend,
there's no such thing as truth. Not one truth, anyway.
The latest in the skeleton saga came this week when Heritage Victoria
announced that Kelly's remains, for decades thought to have been buried in the
grounds of Pentridge Prison in Coburg, had disappeared. The likelihood was that
they had been unceremoniously dumped in a nearby quarry after drainage works at
the prison in 1960. Newspapers from Melbourne to London reported the story.
"It's quite amazing, given the historical role of Ned Kelly, the myth,
the legend, the tourism potential and all the rest of it, that we seem to have
been so careless about his final resting place," said a Melbourne radio
announcer.
Just when you think Kelly's final resting place has been identified, up pops
another expert with a different theory. Monash University heritage expert Warwick
Frost says the "bones in the rubbish tip" theory is, well, rubbish.
They are in fact buried under RMIT — probably in the vicinity of buildings
three, five, seven and nine. (The area to the east of Bowen Street in the city).
Kelly was hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1880. His head was cut off
and sent for scientific testing. As the law at the time required, his body
(without head) was buried in an unmarked grave in the jail burial yard. In
1929 after the jail was decommissioned, the bones of executed inmates were dug
up, placed in sacks, and transferred to Pentridge for reburial, again in
unmarked graves.
Journalists at the time went sniffing for a story. On April 13, 1929, The
Herald reported there had been an unseemly scramble over Kelly's grave,
where they found a complete skeleton. There was a "disgraceful
desecration" as labourers, led by a Mr H. Lee of Lee and Dunn
Constructors, dug up the burial yard at Old Melbourne Gaol. They were building
part of the Working Men's College, which went on to become RMIT University.
"The skull unearthed yesterday," reported The Herald,
"from which every tooth but one was removed by morbid souvenir hunters,
is now at the home of Mr Lee, where it will remain pending official
direction."
Ahaa! says Frost. How could that skeleton have been Kelly's? After all,
his head was cut off. "(It) could have been anybody's who had been
executed, and there were over 100 executed in those grounds," he told The
Age. "There is no conclusive evidence that Kelly's bones were
moved to Pentridge … the likely probability is that Kelly is in an unmarked
grave under RMIT. So somewhere underneath those lecture theatres are his
remains."
Jeremy Smith, Heritage Victoria's senior archaeologist, says the possible
whereabouts of Kelly's bones need to be recorded for history's sake. He
maintains they are in the quarry, not under RMIT. As for the complete skeleton
found in the burial yard of the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1929, it was probably
not Kelly's, says Smith. However, his bones would have been among the many dug
up alongside the skeleton. They would have all been sent to Pentridge. There's
no doubt about it in his mind.
And what of Kelly's skull? Experts agree the skull dug up in 1929 is
unlikely to have been Kelly's. The real skull, the one sent away to advance
science, was displayed in the Old Melbourne Gaol, until one summer's day in
December 1978, when it suddenly vanished.
There were no signs of a forced entry and the display case was not broken.
The skull, which for years had been gathering dust at the Canberra Institute
of Anatomy, had been on display for only six years. Ned's head, if indeed it
was his, is still missing.
There's insufficient evidence to prove anything about Kelly's bones, says
Kelly historian John McQuilton, associate professor at Wollongong University.
"I never found anything in the prison records which even suggested that
they bothered to monitor the (burial) process, which is odd for a Victorian
society which was brilliant with its attention to detail," he says.
But no matter how many times Kelly is buried, exhumed or reburied he has a
habit of coming back, says McQuilton. That's partly because he is no longer
just a legend. He is now a fully fledged, card-carrying commodity. Check out
all the Ned Kellys at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, he says.
"Once Australians no longer find anything in his story that somehow
strikes a resonance with them, he'll be forgotten."
Perhaps. It's been 126 years since Australia's favourite murderer was
hanged. When he's not haunting us with his life and times, he's haunting us
with his old bones.
Such is death.
Sushi Das is a senior writer.
 Hooray!
Finally someone who understands the real story.
Thank you Warwick Frost for setting them straight, now all we need
is to get Mr. Smith to understand the full story. Dave.
...............................................................................................................................................................
Benalla Ensign
May 23, 2007
Firearm Donated
A police-issue firearm found at the site of the Glenrowan Siege has been
donated to Benalla and District Historical Society.
The Martini-Henry rifle is now on display at the society's museum.
Discovered when the donor was digging for bardi grubs along the former
creekbank, the rifle was about 16 cm below the present surface.
Historical Society president Robin Sadler said after 120 years buried in
wet and dry soil, the butt of the single-shot weapon had rotted away.
But combined with the society's existing display of Ned Kelly's
blood-stained cummerbund, it remains a significant addition to the
museum collection.
Mrs Sadler said it was believed the gun had been dropped in the
confusion of Kelly's capture.
"The society is very appreciative of the opportunity to display this
interesting piece in the security of the Kelly Cell with the sash and
other memorabilia."
On Friday, the society will welcome Neil Colston, an expert on antique
firearms, to its general meeting.
..............................................................................................................................................................................
Ned Kelly's remains 'most likely discarded'
Heritage Victoria says Ned Kelly's remains have most
likely been discarded or removed from the old Pentridge Prison site in
Melbourne's north.
The prison area is being redeveloped and archaeologists
have been trying to locate the grave sites of up to 44 prisoners who were
executed at Melbourne Gaol and buried at Pentridge Prison.
Kelly, Australia's most famous bushranger, was hung in
Melbourne Gaol in 1880. His remains were moved to the Pentridge grounds in the
1920s.
Archaeologist Jeremy Smith says it appears Kelly's
remains have disappeared after being dug up during drainage works in the
1950s.
"We've dug out an old plan from Department of
Justice files that people have really been largely unaware of, [and] we have
unearthed a couple of the burial sites," he said.
"But we have found sites where the plans show the
early remains would have been buried, and really what we're finding is
extensive mid-20th century disturbance.
"We know there was a phase of stormwater drains
going through and what's coming to light is that during those works, and
perhaps other infrastructure works, it's quite likely that these historical
burials, including the relocations from the Melbourne Gaol, were probably
disturbed," he said.
The area is now being redeveloped into a housing
estate.
What
a load of rubbish!
There is no way in the world they can be sure Ned was removed from Melbourne
Gaol to Pentridge.
Remember that it was not Ned that was found in 1929, it was not his head that
rolled down the path.
Ned's grave was never marked and they (the authorities) had and have no idea
where he is today.
I believe he is still beside the Old Melbourne Gaol where RMIT students now rest
for lunch.
(the original graveyard site)
Anyway, if you wish to pay your respects don't waste your time looking around
Pentridge.
As a matter of interest I
reproduced all the links to papers covering this story as of 7pm today.(21
May)
Dave White.
No
bones about Kelly's burial mystery
The Age, Australia -
4 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Whereabouts
of Ned Kelly's remains a mystery
New Zealand Herald, New
Zealand - 4 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes officials again
NEWS.com.au, Australia -
5 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -
6 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
The Age, Australia -
6 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Ned
Kelly remains a mystery
TVNZ, New Zealand -
6 hours ago
But this time it is the skeletal remains of
the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Ned's
bones missing
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia -
6 hours ago
ONCE again, Ned Kelly has authorities
scratching their heads. But this time it's the skeletal
remains of the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia -
6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
NEWS.com.au, Australia -
6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Outlaw
Ned Kelly gives authorities the slip again
Radio New Zealand, New
Zealand - 31 minutes ago
Make no bones about it - Australia's most
notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly, has once again eluded
authorities. More than 120 years after the bushranger's ...
|
 |
Dead
Australian Outlaw Still Eludes Authorities
Javno.hr, Croatia -
2 hours ago
Kelly, who became a folk hero of Australia's
colonial past with his gangs' daring bank robberies and police
shoot outs, was hanged for his crimes in 1880 ...
|
 |
Ned
Kelly eludes officials again
Advertiser Adelaide, Australia -
3 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Central Midlands &
Coastal Advocate, Australia - 5 hours
ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Milton Ulladulla Times, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Blayney Chronicle, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Aratat Advertiser, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
 |
Ned
Kelly eludes officials again
Sunday Times.au, Australia -
5 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Kalgoorlie Golden Mail, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Bendigo Advertiser, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Bay Post/Moruya
Examiner, Australia - 5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
The Wimmera Mail Times, Australia -
5 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Ned
Kelly dodges the authorities after death
The West Australian, Australia -
5 hours ago
Once again, Ned Kelly has authorities
scratching their heads. But this time it’s the skeletal
remains of the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
Brisbane Times, Australia -
6 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Ned
Kelly escapes jail
Courier Mail, Australia -
6 hours ago
ONCE again, Ned Kelly has authorities
scratching their heads. But this time it's the skeletal
remains of the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. ...
|
Ned
Kelly's remains missing
Daily Telegraph, Australia -
6 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
The West Australian, Australia -
6 hours ago
But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains ...
|
|
Has
Ned Kelly been nicked?
Courier
Mail, Australia - 6 hours ago
ONCE again, Ned Kelly has authorities
scratching their heads. But this time it's the skeletal
remains of the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
Daily
Telegraph, Australia - 6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
Advertiser
Adelaide, Australia - 6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
Courier
Mail, Australia - 6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
Sunday Times.au, Australia -
6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly's remains 'most likely discarded'
ABC Regional
Online, Australia - 8 hours ago
Heritage Victoria says Ned Kelly's remains
have most likely been discarded or removed from the old
Pentridge Prison site in Melbourne's north. ...
|
Ned
Kelly eludes authorities once again
The
Australian, Australia - 6 hours ago
NED Kelly is on the run once again and
authorities have no idea where he is. But this time it's the
skeletal remains of the notorious bushranger that have ...
|
Ned
Kelly's remains 'most likely discarded'
ABC
Online, Australia - 8 hours ago
Heritage Victoria says Ned Kelly's remains
have most likely been discarded or removed from the old
Pentridge Prison site in Melbourne's north. ...
|
Ned
Kelly missing
Sky News
Australia, Australia - 40 minutes ago
Infamous bushranger Ned Kelly has escaped
authorities 120 years after his death - with archaelogists
failing to find any trace of his skeletal remains while ...
|
Outlaw
Ned Kelly gives authorities the slip again
Radio New
Zealand, New Zealand - 1 hour ago
Make no bones about it - the nation's most
notorious outlaw, Ned Kelly, has once again eluded
authorities. More than 120 years after the bushranger's ...
|
Ned
Kelly escapes jail
Courier
Mail, Australia - 5 hours ago
ONCE again, Ned Kelly has authorities
scratching their heads. But this time it's the skeletal
remains of the notorious bushranger which have gone missing. ...
|
|
..........................................................................................................................................
The HeraldSun Newspaper.
..............................................................................................................................
Police anger over Ned Kelly logo proposal
CURRENT and former veteran police officers are offended that
bushranger Ned Kelly
was suggested as the emblem for a taskforce that investigates the state's most
dangerous
armed criminals.
Sources said a suggestion the new armed crimes taskforce take on a logo of
Kelly - a bank robber
who killed a policeman - was insulting to former armed offenders squad
detectives and the force in general.
The armed crimes taskforce has replaced the armed offenders squad as part of
the major crime management model.
The Herald Sun believes the logo was suggested in good faith because
Kelly was a notorious bushranger captured
by police at Glenrowan in 1880.
But former armed robbery squad stalwart Ray Watson, instrumental in the
capture of notorious bandits during the
violent 1980s and early '90s, said the mere suggestion of using a Ned Kelly
image was shameful.
"I'm outraged about it," Mr Watson said.
"Does that mean Carl Williams is going to be considered as a squad
emblem in the future?
"Ned Kelly is iconic, but certainly not a hero.
"That emblem idea would have revered the man, not the taskforce."
One current officer said: "It's common knowledge that former members of
the armed offenders squad and the old
armed robbery squad were disgusted with the idea of the Ned Kelly emblem and
what it represented."
Many armed robbery squad detectives were close friends with Sgt Gary Silk,
who with Sen-Constable Rod Miller,
was shot dead by two bandits in 1998.
The Ned Kelly idea, floated late last year, has been rejected.
"I can say that a logo containing any reference or image related to Ned
Kelly would definitely not be considered,"
police spokesman Sgt David Spencer said.
Source: Sunday HeraldSun.
..........................................................................................................................................
Ned Kelly still brings in dollars
By BRAD WORRALL
BEECHWORTH’S Ned Kelly weekend generated more than a $1 million for the
town, says an Indigo Council report.
The summary to be tabled at a meeting on Tuesday night also details the
spin-off from The Great Victorian Bike Ride which,
while attracting similar
numbers, made less than a quarter of that money.
And while the bike ride cost the council $9000, the bushranger weekend
delivered a profit of almost $15,000.
The council report recommends undertaking both events again but suggests
the Ned Kelly weekend be held two-yearly.
More than 4200 people are said to have visited Beechworth during the Kelly
celebration in August.
It was 3000 more than visited the historic town on the corresponding
weekend in 2005.
Visitors are said to have spent $655,000 in the town during the weekend
that featured a debate on the hero status of the
famous bushranger who was
hanged in 1880.
The economic impact for the town was estimated at $1,048,320.
But the report blames November’s heat for a much reduced spend by
cyclists on The Great Victorian Bike Ride.
While 4000 people were said to have visited the town, their spend was much
less than the Ned Kelly tourists.
The report says the visitor spend during the cyclists overnight stay was
$144,000 and the spin-off about $230,000.
Both events also attracted significant interest from national media with
exposure on WIN’s Today Show and national
daily newspapers for the Ned Kelly
debate estimated to be worth $1.2 million.
Council officers also suggest that four out of five cyclists on The Great
Victorian Bike Ride would return to take advantage
of the Murray to Mountains
rail trail.
The report also lists the downsides of both events.
The Ned Kelly weekend required significant out-of-hours work for council
staff and created high expectations.
Community groups involved in the bike ride did not get the returns.
Source: The Border Mail 3/3/07
............................................................................................................................................................................................................
Kelly spirit rides again as sympathisers gang up on Beechworth jail
developer
WHEN authorities installed iron gates outside the old Beechworth prison in
the late 1800s, they intended to thwart attempts to free Ned Kelly sympathisers.
As town residents peer in through the imposing white bars today, they cannot
help but feel locked out of decisions about the historic site's future.
Opposition is mounting to plans to redevelop the prison and surrounding
grounds, where a young Ned Kelly served sentences spanning two years in the
early 1870s and was held during his committal hearing for murder in 1880.
The 147-year-old jail, listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, was shut in
December 2004 when a minimum-security, 120-bed prison was built just out of
town. Salmore Developments secured the site, including buildings, from the State
Government for more than $1 million through a tender process.
Heritage Victoria is considering an application by the Melbourne-based
developer to subdivide the land behind the main prison buildings into 23
allotments, including 18 residential blocks where some two-storey townhouses may
be built.
The developer also intends to convert the former jail's interior,
transforming it into a hotel, restaurant and retail precinct.
Mal Wilson, who lives opposite the site, says the community has had virtually
no contact with developers about their plans and has been denied access to the
site. The grounds have shown signs of neglect, including overgrown gardens.
"We're frustrated and we're trying to frustrate the developer," Mr
Wilson said. "It's undeniable that we have very little power in the
decision. The only thing we can do is bond, and create a barricade to the
process."
A hastily convened public meeting this month to oppose the plans attracted
100 residents, and more than 1000 signatures have been collected in a petition.
Among those against the plans is well-known Kelly historian and local
resident Ian Jones.
He says the iron gates symbolise the bushranger's influence. In 1879, about
20 suspected Kelly sympathisers were held in an attempt to limit support for
the Kelly gang, but prison officials feared the original wooden gates would do
little to stop a break-out.
Mr Jones says a more "holistic" approach that pays respect to the
site's history is needed for the development.
"When you drive into Beechworth from Wodonga, the first sight of the
jail will be a miniature suburb and concrete walls," he said.
"And meanwhile the jail's rotting. I can't be convinced that there was
ever a serious plan for the use of the main jail complex."
Heritage Victoria has received 40 submissions about the developer's
application. Executive director Ray Tonkin says a decision is expected within
a month.
He stresses that the application relates only to the subdivision of the
land, and the developer will also need a planning permit from Indigo Shire
Council.
Any further development or building at the site would require a separate
heritage permit. "The owners haven't come forward with any specific
proposals for the old building," Mr Tonkin said. "We would weigh
those up."
Salmore managing director Sam Lawson says the furore is disappointing and
fuelled by misinformation. He believes the company has always been clear about
its intentions.
"What we've said from the outset is that it's stated in the Heritage
Act that all of the historic elements of the building can't be touched, have
to be looked after and maintained," Mr Lawson said.
"That's set in stone. I have to do that, and will do that. That's why
I bought the place — its historical significance."
The council met the developer late last year for a briefing, and is not
totally opposed to Mr Lawson's plans. However, councillors recently rejected
the application before Heritage Victoria, citing several concerns including
that "the proposal fails to provide a whole-of-site approach to
development and reuse".
The council's chief executive, John Costello, says any plans considered by
Heritage Victoria should include details of what is on the cards for all
buildings and areas inside the jail walls.
The council also wants Heritage Victoria to ensure safeguards are in place
so the developer properly maintains the place.
"The whole place has to be maintained and not left to rot. (The
developer) bought the place and has just left it to sit there," Mr
Costello said. "In the end the council has to do grounds maintenance,
looking after the gardens, walls, buildings."
Cr Andrew Banks wants the council to go a step further and ask the state
and federal governments to buy back the jail, returning it to public hands.
He says the jail, the nearby old courthouse where Kelly was tried,
telegraph station and police lock-up form the most "intact gold-rush
governance precinct" and must be preserved.
"Just because it's tucked away 300 kilometres from Melbourne doesn't
mean it's any less significant than, say, Pentridge or the Old Melbourne Gaol,"
Cr Banks said.
"I just think we as a community, state and federal governments,
Australia as a nation, have made a mistake by selling this, and we have to be
big enough to admit that."
Source: The Age Orietta Guerrera
February 14, 2007
They
destroyed Pentridge, now it seems Beechworth is next.
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